Kiss Your Ginger Day!

Kiss Your Ginger Day is January 12th! That could be any ginger. But for me, it is ginger – the ingredient. This ingredient has so many health benefits, plus it’s tasty too. Over the years, I have learned a lot about health. I am by no means an authority, not even on ginger.

Ginger has a lot of medicinal properties some of which is scientifically supported evidence, and others are word of mouth. According to Back to Eden which was originally published in 1939, Jethro Kloss writes in regard to ginger’s medicinal properties that it is a stimulant, pungent, carminative, aromatic, sialagogue, condiment, and diaphoretic.

According to Healthline, there are eleven proven benefits of ginger some of which are:

Helps to reduce stomach issues such as nausea and indigestion

Anti-inflammatory. Therefore, reducing pain and soreness of muscles and joints

Lowers blood sugar

Improves heart health

Helps to lower bad cholesterol

May help to prevent cancer

May improve brain function

If any of the health benefits interests you, please checkout the Healthline article in the hyperlink above as well numerous sources found on the web or in books. Frequently upon reviewing these benefits, there is an interest in growing ginger. Your local agricultural service can supply you with a lot of information in regard to your zone. In addition, checking out nurseries, and written information can benefit your understanding.

According Rodale’s Successful Gardening Herbs, the best climate for ginger is zones 9 – 10 and in partial shade. It prefers to be rooted in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. I have seen people trying to grow it indoors, but I cannot vouch for their success.

Over the last year, I have been trying to grow ginger and turmeric. So far I haven’t succeeded in a full grown plant. Although I have seen shoots come off the original root. This year we will see if they come up again. Wish me luck. And I hope you will include this wonderful plant in your garden as well.